Apparatus for coating by thermal vaporization



Jan. 12, 1954 J. c. OGLE, JR 2,665,659 APPARATUS FOR COATING BY THERMAL VAPORIZATION Original Filed April 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 no [N VEN TOR.

'7 BY 944mm C %Ze,%c. 155 5 flyfefdiro/w A T TORNE Y5 Jan. 12, 1954 J c, Q L JR 2,665,659

APPARATUS FOR COATING BY THERMAL VAPORIZATION Original Filed April 2, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Jan. 12; 1954 J. c. OGLE, JR 2,665,659

APPARATUS FOR COATING BY THERMAL VAPORIZATION Original Filed April 2, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 44 44a 1 lOb I50 0 I5 42 p 47 -:.-L-&, &.= A 44 P 44 e A |0- l0 48 IO- 10 48 g +55 4| 5| 2 l3 5| j 52 P M 50 50 E@ 40 2 49 49 43 -53 FM. 40 F] 6 r V 57 57 IO!) E 7 I 57G 43 40 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 12, 1954 APPARATUS FOR COATING BY THERMAL VAPOPJZATION James C. Ogle, Jr., Tarentum, Pa assignor to Libbey-Ow'ens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Continuation of application Serial No. 85,124,

April 2, 1949. Serial No. 284,160

This a pplication April 24, 1952,

10 Claims. (Cl. 118-49) The present invention relates to apparatus for supporting, transporting and coating articles by thermal evaporation. It has to do particularly, although not exclusively, with an improved apparatus and withmeans such as a rack, for supporting a plurality of articles, such as prisms, or the like, in stacked relationship and for maintaining the articles in said stacked relationship upon the apparatus, for example, a movable truck, platform, or dolly, for transporting a pinrality of independently supported racks carrying stacked articles from a location where, for example, the faces or surfaces of the articles have been thoroughly cleansed, to another location for storage purposes, or to a thermal evapcrating unit or apparatus for positioning within said apparatus.

This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 85.12%, filed April2, 1949, and now abandoned.

The improved rack and mobile platform or dolly of the present invention are particularly useful in connection with apparatus or methods which involve the application of reflective or low reflection surface coatings to articles such, for example, as prisms, wherein it is desirable, and in fact necessary, to thoroughly cleanse the surfaces of the articles and to maintain the cleansed surfaces in such condition either directly or by the application of a provisional or temporary surface" protective coating thereto prior to the application of the final or reflective surface coatin to said surfaces. Thus, it is desirable to eliminate any manual handling of the articles per so after the articles have been placed in the racks and prior to the deposition of the final reflective, or low reflection, or other type coate ing onto the surfaces of the articles. Obvious- 1y; if the articles were individually and manually handled, the surfaces thereof would be likely to immediately become contaminated, rendering them sufficiently unclean or unfit to receive the deposit of the final coating resulting from the thermal evaporation of a material, and its deposition upon the articles.

It is therefore, one of the objects of the present invention to provide novel means, and an improved apparatus, for supporting a plurality of articles in racks and for transporting a plurelity of groups of such articles, without the necessity of manually handling and thus contaminating, the surfaces of the articles during transportation from, for example, the cleansing station, or from the time they are placed in the racks, to another station or locaiii tion where the coating is applied to the surfaces of the articles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved rack for supporting a plurality of articles such, for example, as prisms, in stacked relationship and to maintain the articles in such relationship during transportation and during the application to a surface or surfaces of the articles, of a desired surface coating; it

being a further object of the invention to provide improved means forming a part of the movable platform or dolly so as to permit the ready mounting of the rack with its stacked articles upon the platform and also its ready removal therefrom.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved rack having adjustable stop means with which one end of the stack of articles contacts so that the rack is capable of being used for supporting articles of different sizes in stacked relationship and holding them against shifting movement when the rack is moved or transported from one location to an.- other location; it being another object of the invention to provide a removable and adjustable spacer member which may be interposed between groups of the stacked articles carried by the rack and which provides means for maintaining the groups of articles in stacked relationship and against accidental shifting movement relative to the rack, and which permits the rack to be used with articles of different sizes and shapes.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved mobile platform or dolly structure for supporting and transporting a plurality of article-supporting racks in accordance with the present invention, in which the dolly or mobile platform and the racks have improved cooperable means for maintaining the racks in fixed upright positions and in releasably locked condition upon said mobile platform.

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus including a vacuum chamber with improved means for releasably supporting the improved racks of the present invention upon the base of the vacuum chamber and in predetermined spaced relationship, so as to present the articles carried by the racks to suitable units or equipment for depositing, preferably by thermal evaporation, metal or other coating materials upon the surfaces of the articles, said supporting means being capable of maintaining the racks and their supported articles in stationary but removable condition; or of revolving or rotatin the racks at predetermined speeds during the operation of deposition.

A still further object of the invention isto provide improved means within a vacuum chamher for releasably or removably supporting a plurality of portable article-carrying racks within said chamber.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and appended claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, parts being broken to save space, of a preferred form of article-supporting rack or frame embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and indicating in broken lines one type ofarticle in supported condition in the rack;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4.- is a perspective view of the rack shown in the preceding figures supporting a plurality of articles arranged in stacked relationship thereg. 5 is a top plan view of a spacer member or device forming a part of the rack structure of the preceding views;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of an improved mobile platform or dolly embodying the present invention, shown supporting several of the racks carrying stacked articles in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 6 and taken in a direction looking toward the right side of the structure of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail perspective view, partly in section and partly broken away, of one preferred form of means for supporting and releasably holding or locking the upper end portion of an article-supporting rack of the invention upon the improved dolly;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a thermal depositing apparatus or chamber having therein improved rack-supporting means embodying the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail elevational view, partly in section, on an enlarged scale and broken away, of the rack-supporting means and one of the article-carrying racks of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 and showing a modified form of means for releasably supporting the article-carrying racks embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 13 15a view similar to Fig. 11, being a detail, on an enlarged scale and broken away, of one of the racks and rack-supporting means of Fig. 12. a

Before explaining in detail the present inven- 4 tion, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be understood also that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention herein claimed beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the drawings, there is shown in these figures one preferred form of article-supporting rack or frame structure embodying the present invention. As shown, the improved rack structure A comprises a pair of spaced longitudinally extending substantially parallel rods or members 10 each of which has a longitudinally extending substantially V-shaped slot, groove, or notches'l I formed therein. The lower ends, with reference to Fig. 1, of the rods I0 are reduced at 10a and-:

the outer end portions thereof are threaded @to receive nuts 12. The upper ends of the rods ID are likewise of reduced diameter and terminate in pins or projecting portions 10b having rounded or dome-like outer ends or tips I00. 7

Th lower ends of the rods are maintained in their spaced and substantially parallel relation ship by means of a transverse frame member [3 stop for the column or stack of articles P to be.

supported by the rack or frame, see Fig. 4.

The opposite or upper ends of the rods [0, with reference to Fig. 1, are similarly maintained in predetermined spaced substantially parallel.

condition by means of a removable transverse frame member [5 whose outer end portions are provided with openings and carry upstanding" hollow bosses l5a so that the member 15 may be slipped over the reduced end portions [0b of the rods. It will be seen that the main or thickened body portions of the rods [0 provide shoulders which serve as stops for the member i5 at one end of th rods and similar stops adjacent their opposite ends for the transverse member 13.

Intermediate the transverse members l3 and 15, the rods 10 are provided with a fixed or. permanently attached brace member, shown'as a whole at I6, which member has hook-like or reversely curved inwardly: directed end portions Ilia which are secured, as by welding at [6b, to

the rods I0. Normally, the member 13 remains in its position as shown in the drawings and provides, withthe brace l6, meansfor maintaining the parts of the portable rack or frame structure in fixed positions, with or without the upper transverse member l5 which is removable,

When it is desired to support a plurality of, stacked articles, such as the prisms P of Figs. 2 and 4, in the rack, the angular edges or corners] P of the prism, see Fig. 2, are brought into reg-' istry with the upper end portionsof the grooves f i or slots? II and the prism"moved downwardly in the rack or frame until it contacts the head of the adjustable stop member 14. Any number of additional articles may be assembled in stacked relationship in the rack by repeating this operation. If, the overall height or thickness of the articles, when in stacked relationship does not correspond to the distance or space between the transverse member I3 and I5, the stop member M may be adjusted to fill in or take up the surplus or excess space. Moreover, if the stop member i4 alone will not accomplish the purpose of causing the stacked articles to remain in position against undesirable shifting movement lengthwise of the rack, a removable spacer, such as that shown as a whole at H, may be employed; This spacer H, as shown, is of generally V-shape in longitudinal cross section and has,as shown, pointed or wedge-shaped free end portions Ila which are preferably shaped so as to interfit with the longitudinal grooves or notches ll formed in the rods ill with suflicient freedom to permit the spacer to be moved in the grooves longitudinally of the rack 01' frame structure. As seen in Fig. 4, merely by way'of example, the stack of articles P is separated into two groups of five articles each, the removable spacer member ll being interposed between and filling the space between the two groups. The lower article of the lower group rests upon the head of the stop member M and the upper member of the top group of articles terminates substantially at the outer or upper end of the slots H. As shown in the drawings, the removable upper transverse frame member I5 is so shaped and proportioned as to permit the articles P and/or the spacer I! to be engaged with the slots II and moved to the desired positions in the rack, without necessitating the removal of the member Hi from the remaining rack structure.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings, there is shown in these figures an improved mobile platform, truck or dolly B, embodying the present invention and having, merely by way of example, four of the article-supporting racks of the present invention shown in position carrying supported articles in stacked relation, releasably locked and main tained in upright positions thereupon.

Merely by way of example, the mobile platform, truck or dolly B of the present invention comprises a suitable braced frame structure shown as a whole at and carrying a substan tially horizontal floor or base 2|. The frame 20 is provided at its corners with casters or rollers 22 to permit the truck or dolly to be moved easily over a floor or other supporting surface. The portable or movable platform or dolly is provided with a handle 23 mounted at one end of the table 2! by means of upright frame members or bars The table or horizontal supporting surface 2! of the dolly is provided, as'shown merely by way of illustration, with a plurality of rack supporting members or elevated bases, each of which is shown as a whole at 25. These .members 25, as shown, are mounted in fixed and spaced relationship upon the table topsurface 2|. Each support or base member has, as shown, a pair of spaced upstanding or projecting pins or studs 26, fora purpose to be described below. As seen in Figsnfi. and '7, the base members 25 are arranged in rows extending lengthwise of the dolly floor N, there. being shown, merely by way of The base members 25 just described provide means for supporting the lower end portions of a like number of the racks A shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. It is desirable to support also the upper end portions ofthese racks. For this purpose, a pair of upright standards 21 is provided. One of these standards 21 is mounted adjacent one end of the floor or base 21 and the other standard is similarly mounted adjacent the opposite end of said floor, the two members being, as shown, disposed" at substantially the longitudinal center of the floor.

' The standards 21 support at their upper ends a longitudinal horizontally disposed plate or member-28 which extends substantially the length of the platform floor or base 2|, see Fig. 8. The oblong plate or member 28 provides means for supporting along its side edges, a plurality of movable or swingable members which are adapted to engage and cooperate with the upper ends of a similar number of article-supporting racks A to serve, with the cooperating and supporting base members 25, to maintain said racks in predetermined spaced and upright positions upon the dolly. The movable means, as shown, comprise hinge-like members, each of which is shown as a whole at 29. Each of these members has a fixed base or portion 30 and an outwardly projecting movable strap-like portion or member 3|, the strap-like member 3| being hinged or pivotally connected at 32 to the fixed member or portion 33 which latter, as shown in Fig. 9, is preferably bolted at 33 to the supporting plate, 28; The outer end of each strap-like member 3| is provided with a depending pin or projecting member 34, which carries at its lower end a rectangular socket plate or member 35 having longitudinally spaced holes or openings 36 whose" lower portions are enlarged or flared outwardly at 36a. These openings 36, 36a, provide sockets or pockets to receive the reduced end portions H11), H30, of the rack rods or members III to hold the racks A in releasably locked position upon the dolly.

It will be understood that when it is desired to position one of the racks A with its stacked articles P therein upon the movable platform or dolly B, the rack is placed bodily upon the dolly so that the sockets or openings l3a formed in the member 13 will be brought into registry with and telescope over the upwardly projecting pins 26 of one of the supporting blocks or members 25. The cooperating hinged member 3| is then swung about its pintle or pivot 32 to bring the openings or sockets 36, 36a intoregistry with the pins 101), I00 of the rack and to telescope thereover. Thus, the rack with its supported articles, is releasably mounted in position upon the mobile truck or dolly and is in readiness to be moved or transported by said dolly. When it is desirable to remove a rack from the dolly, it is merely necessary to swing the strap-like supporting member 3! about its pivot 32 to release the rack pins 10b, I00, whereupon the rack,

' as a unit, may be lifted off its supporting base thermal evaporation and deposition operations,

may be performed. In Figs. 10 and 11, suitable means is provided for supporting the articlecarrying racks in spaced relation within the chamber and permitting the racks to be rotated or revolved, simultaneously, while the thermal evaporating and deposition operation is being performed,'or intermittently to a desired angular degree to cause different faces to be presented where these are to be coated with various different substances.

. The apparatus of Figs. 10 and 11 comprises, as shown, base 40 upon which a dome-like casing, housing or bell 4| is supported or fitted to close the chamber, thus providing a chamber 42 within which thermal evaporation operations may be carried out. A pipe or conduit 43 is in communication with the interior of the chamber and with high speed suction pumps (not shown) for withdrawing air from the chamber to create a vacuum therein.

The article-supporting racks A carrying articles P, such racks being shown in detail in the preceding views of the drawings, are arranged in spaced relationship adjacent the, upright walls of the chamber, along the periphery of a circle, two such racks being shown in Fig. 10. These individual racks A are supported at their upper ends by means of vertically movable latch or socketed members 44. Each of these member is carried by a depending pin 45 having an enlarged head 46, the pin extending through a hole or opening formed in an annular or ring-like member 47. This ring-like or circular member is supported, as shown, upon and parallel to the base 40 and spaced therefrom by means of a plurality of upright supports or rods 48. Each of the members 44 is provided with a pair of spaced sockets 44a, similar to those shown at 36, 36a, in Fig. 9 of the drawings and the sockets are adapted to receive and support the pins or projecting portions lllb at the upper ends of the rods ID of the rack A.

The lower end portion l3 of each of the racks is provided with spaced openings or sockets [3a, similar to those shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The base member 40 of the chamber is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed relatively short supporting posts 49, each of these posts having rotatably mounted thereupon, a sprocket or peripherally toothed member 50. The upper surface of each of the sprockets carries a pair of upright or vertically disposed pins or studs 5| which are adapted to engage in the sockets l3a of the article-carrying frame or rack and support the bottom portion of the rack in predetermined position upon the sprocket. A sprocket chain 52 (Fig. 10) is in engagement with each of the sprockets 50 and is connected, by virtue of suitable gearing, shown as a whole at 53, with a prime'mover including a preferably brushless type electric motor M mounted upon the base 40. Thus, by operating the electric motor, it will be understood that the sprocket chain is driven to revolve or rotate, simultaneously, all of the sprockets 50 which, in turn, will cause the article-carrying racks A, which are supported by the sprockets, to be likewise turned or revolved, simultaneously. The driving means for the sprockets 50 may be generally similar to that disclosed in the co-pending application of Colbert and Weinrich, Serial No. 531,690, now Patent 2,414,406, dated January 14, 1947. Or, one of these sprockets, through its axle 49 may be connected to a prime mover outside the chamber when axle 49 is extended through the chamber wall.

' The racks A with their supported articles, may be removed from the dolly shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings and the pins 10b thereof brought into engagement with the vertically movable and freely rotatable latch or socketed members 44 carried by the supporting ring 41. The sockets l3a at the bottom end of the rack A are then brought into registry with the sprocketcarried supporting pins or studs 5i and the rack or frame lowered into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 11. After the racks have been placed in their predetermined upright positions, the housing 4! is lowered into position upon the base 40, the chamber vacuumized, and the thermal evaporating filament or filaments 55 located within the circle formedby the racks and attached to the base 40 whichcarry the materials to be evaporated are energized to start the thermal evaporating action and to effect the deposition of the desired material upon the surfaces or faces of the articles supported by the racks A. The electric motor is operated and serves to revolve the racks A and their supported articles P during the thermal evaporating and depositing operation, or may be used between the application of successive coatings to different faces by causing sufiicient rotation of the racks and articles to present the uncoated faces successively towards the evaporation filaments.

In Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings we have shown a somewhat modified form of means for supporting a plurality of the article-carrying racks or portable frames A within the vacuum chamber 42. In this form of the invention the upper end portions of the racks are supported by means of an annular or ring-like member 51 which is supported above the base 40 in spaced relation thereto, by upright supporting members or rods 58 in substantially the same manner as shown in Fig. 10. In the present form of the invention, the ring-like member 57 is provided at predetermined spaced points with pairs of holes or sockets 51a to receive the pins or projecting portions lb of the article-carrying rack or frame A. The base 40 of the apparatus, in the present form of the invention, is provided with spaced pairs of upright supporting posts or members 59, each of which has a reduced pin-like upwardly projecting end portion 590.. The pins 59a are adapted to be received in the openings or sockets I3a, formed in the bottom member l3 of the rack A, as clearly seen in Fig. 13. The pairs of members 59 are positioned in vertical alignment and registry with and below the pairs of openings or sockets 51a formed in the upper supporting ring 57, so as to support the racks A in predetermined spaced and preferably vertical positions within the vacuum chamber 42, as seen in Fig. 12 whereby the face of the article to be coated is presented towards the evaporation filaments 55.

The racks A are preferably removed from the dolly or portable cart of Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive,

of the drawings, and the pair of pins Nib of each.

rack moved into engagement with the sockets 57a of the upper ring member. The pins Hlb are of sufficient length to permit the rack to be moved upwardly toward the supporting ring 51 so that the sockets We in the base of the articlecarrying rack or frame may be broughtinto engagement with the pins or studs 59a and the rack lowered into position, as clearly seen in Fig. 13. After the desired number of racks A has been placed upon the base 40 and held thereupon in the manner above-described, the belllike casing or housing 4| is lowered into position r 9 upon" the base and the chamber 42 is then exhausted of its air content to create a vacuum therein, whereupon the thermal evaporating unit or equipment is operated to efi'ect the deposition, by thermal evaporation, of the desired material upon the surface or surfaces of the racksupported articles P. The form of rack supporting means shown in Figs. 12 and 13 is adapted particularly for use in connectionwith applying coatings to only certain faces or surfaces of articles located within the vacuum chamber, the articles in their supporting racks being presented, as desired, to the thermal'evaporating equipment, and wherein it is not necessary to revolve or rotate the racks and their supported articles.

By virtue of the present invention, it will be seen that a'plurality of the improved racks or article-supporting frames A embodying the invention, may be placed upon the improved mobile truck or dolly B, also embodying the invention, and held in upright positions and in spaced relatinoship thereupon to be transported, by the truck or dolly, from one location to another location, and may then be removed from the dolly, without any manual handling whatsoever of the individual supported articles. Moreover, the racks A may be removed from the dolly and placed directly in suitable apparatus for applying, preferably by deposition resulting from thermal evaporation, a coating or coatings to a surface or plurality of surfaces of the articles. For example, the individual racks may be placed within the apparatus shown in Figs. 10 and 12 to be supported in predetermined spaced relationship therein by the improved rotatable releasable rack supporting means shown in these figures.

I claim:

1. In combination with a vacuum chamber having a supporting surface and a housing fitting upon said surface, said chamber including thermal evaporating means, of means located within the chamber and carried by the supporting surface thereof for removably supporting a plurality of article-carrying portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means comprising rotatable socketed support means for releasably receiving and supporting one end portion of said portable racks, said rack supporting means also including rotatively mounted support means engageable with the other end portion of the portable racks for supporting the same for rotative movement within the chamber, said rotatively mounted support means being positioned in alignment respecively with the rotatable socketed support means, and means associated with said rotatively mounted support means for causing rotative movement thereof.

2. In combinationv with a vacuum chamber having a supporting surface and a housing fit ting upon said surface, said chamber including thermal evaporating means, of means supported within the chamber for removably supporting a plurality of article-carrying portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means including a supporting member having rotatable socketed support means for releasably receiving and supporting one end portion of said portable racks, said rack supporting means also including rotatively mounted support means engageable with the other end portion of the portable racks for supporting the same for rotative movement within the chamber, said rotatively mounted support 16 means being positioned in alignment respectively with the rotatable socketed support means, and means associated with said rotatively mounted support means for causing rotative movement thereof.

3. In combination with a vacuum chamber having a supporting base and a housing in contact with said base, said chamber including thermal evaporating means, of means located within the chamber and supported by said base thereof for removably supporting a plurality of articlecarrying'portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means comprising a supporting member having rotatable socketed support means for releasably receiving and supporting one end portion of said portable racks, said rack supporting means also including rotatively mounted support means engageable with the other end portion of the portable racks for supporting the same for rotative movement within the chamber, said rotatively mounted support means being positioned in alignment respectively with the rotatable socketed means, and means associated with said rotatively mounted support means for causing rotative movement thereof.

4. In combination with a vacuum chamber having a base and a housingfitting upon said base, said chamber including thermal evaporat ing means, of means located within the chamber and supported by the base thereof for removably supporting a plurality of article-carrying portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means comprising a supporting member having rotatable socketed support means for releasably receiving and supporting one end portion of said portable racks, said rack supporting means also including rotatively mounted support means engageable with the other end portion of the portable racks for supporting the same for rotative movement within the chamber, said rotatively mounted support means being positioned in alignment respectively with the rotatable socketed support means,

. and means associated with said rotatively mounted support means for causing rotative movement thereof.

5. In combination with a vacuum chamber having a base and a housing fitting upon said base, said chamber including thermal evaporating means, of means located within the chamber and supported by the base thereof for removably supporting a plurality of article-carrying portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means com prising a, ring-like member supported parallel to the base and in spaced relationship thereto, rotatable members carried by said ring-like member arranged along the periphery of a circle for releasably engaging and supporting one end portion of the racks, said rack supporting means also including rotatable members located upon and positioned adjacent to the base along the periphery of a circle in alignment respectively with the rotatable members carried by said ring-like member parallel to the base for releasably en gaging and supporting the other end portion of the racks, a sprocket carried by each of said last named rotatable members, a sprocket chain engaging all of such sprockets for imparting rotative movement to all of said members and their supported article-carrying racks simultaneously, and a motor connected to said chain for effecting rotation of the portable racks.

6, In combination with a vacuum chamber having a base and a removable housing mounted uponsaid base, said chamber including thermal evaporating means, of means located within the chamber and supported by the base thereof for removably supporting a plurality of articlecarrying portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means comprising a supporting member mounted above the base and in spaced relationship thereto having rotatable socketed support means for releasably receiving and supporting one end portion of said portable racks, said rack supporting means also including rotatively mounted support means for releasably engaging the other end portion of the portable racks for supporting the same for rotative movement within the chamber, said rotatively mounted support means being positioned in alignment with the rotatable socketed support means carried by said supporting member above the base, and means associated with said rotatively mounted support means for causing rotative movement thereof,

'7. In combination with a vacuum chamber having a base and a removable housing mounted upon said base, said chamber including thermal evaporating means, of means located within the chamber and supported by the base thereof for removably supporting a plurality of article-carrying portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means comprising a ring-like member supported above the base and in spaced relationship thereto, rotatable members carried by said ringlike member arranged along the periphery of a circle for releasably engaging and supporting the upper end portions of the racks, said rack supporting means also including rotatable members located upon and positioned adjacent to the base along the periphery of a circle in alignment respectively with the rotatable members carried by said ring-like member above the base for releasably engaging and supporting the lower endportions of the racks, a sprocket carried by each of said rotatable members positioned adjacent the base, a continuous ring-like sprocket chain engaging all of such sprockets for imparting rotative movement to all of said members and. their supported article-carrying racks simultaneously, and a motor connected to said chain for efifecting rotation of the portable racks.

8. In combination with a vacuum chamber having a base and a housing fitting upon said base, said chamber including thermal evaporating means, of means located within the chamber and supported by the base thereof for removably supporting a plurality of article-carrying portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means comprising a supporting member mounted parallel to the base and in spaced relationship thereto, rotatable members carried by said supporting member and having sockets for releasably receiving portions of one end of the racks for supporting the same, said rack supporting means also including a plurality of posts carried upon said base, a member rotatably mounted upon each post, and studs carried by each of said lastnamed members and engageable with the other end of the racks for supporting the same, said last-named members aslo being positioned in alignment respectively with the rotatable members carried by said supporting member parallel to the base, and means associated with said lastnamed members for causing rotative movement thereof.

9. In combination with a vacuum chamber having a base and a housing fitting upon said base, said chamber including thermal evaporatmg means of means located within the chamber and supported by the base thereof for removably supporting a plurality of article-carrying port able racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamben'said rack supporting means comprising a ring-like member mounted parallel to the base and in spaced relationship thereto, rotatable members carried by said ring-like member arranged along the periphery of a circle and having sockets for releasably receiving portions of one end of the racks for supporting the same, said rack supporting means also including a plu-. rality of posts carried upon said base, a sprocket member rotatably mounted upon each post in alignment respectively with the rotatable mem-- bers carried by said ring-like member parallel to the base, studs carried by each sprocket member for releasably engaging the other end of the racks for supporting the same, a sprocket chain engaging all of such sprocket members for imparting rotative movement to all of said members and their supported article-carrying racks simultaneously, and a motor connected to said chain for effecting rotation of the portable racks;

10. In combination with a vacuum chamber having a base and a removable housing mounted upon said base, said chamber including thermal evaporatin means, of means located within the chamber and supported by the base thereof for removably supporting a plurality of articlecarrying portable racks in predetermined spaced relationship within the chamber, said rack supporting means comprising a ring-like member supported above the base and in spaced relationship thereto, rotatable members carried by said ring-like member for free movement with respect thereto and having sockets for releasably receiving portions of the upper ends of the racks for supporting the same, said rotatable members being arranged along the periphery of a circle, said rack supporting means also including a plurality of posts carried upon said base, a horizontal sprocket member rotatably mounted upon each post, said sprocket members being arranged along the periphery of a circle and in alignment respectively with the rotatable members carried by said ring-like member above the base, studs carried by each sprocket member and engageable with the lower ends of the racks for supporting the same, a continuous ring-like sprocket chain engaging all of such sprocket members for imparting rotative movement to all of the articlecarrying racks simultaneously, and a motor connected to said chain for effecting rotation of the portable racks.

JAMES C. OGLE, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson et a1 Sept. 12, 1950 

